Welding Helmets – On The Job Protection

Safety and protection are the key factors to take into account when undertaking any type of job which are potentially dangerous. Whether you’re a beginner welder or one with years of experience, buying a good quality welding helmet is essential. Welding is a job which requires the utmost care and attention since you’re working with extremely high temperatures. It’s a job which can cause extreme injuries if the proper safety standards aren’t adhered to.

The act of welding can be incredibly harsh on the eyes in particular if they’re not properly protected. Some of the dangers stem from infra red radiation which can cause cataracts and retina burning. The welding arc gives off UV radiation which can burn the eyes. Commonly referred to a “welder’s flash” it isn’t immediately noticeable when it first occurs. Instead symptoms make an appearance some time later in the form of swelling, discomfort and temporary blindness. So you can see just how important it is to wear effective protection.

Types of Welding Helmets

Welding helmets are designed to offer protection against welding sparks and the harsh UV and infra red light given off by the welding arc. There are plenty of styles to choose from and it’s imperative that you choose the right style in terms of what the job entails, safety, and comfort. Some of the options in helmets include fixed or variable shade, passive or auto darkening lenses, as well as a choice of view sizes.

There is quite a significant difference between regular lenses and auto darkening. A helmet with a passive lens uses IR and UV coated glass with a shade that is fixed. It’s normally worn in an upright stance while the torch is positioned. The operator will then give a nod of his head and the helmet will snap into position, before he strikes an arc.

An operator will find an auto darkening helmet much easier to use as he won’t need to nod his head whenever he wants to check a weld or strike an arc. The helmet uses sensors which detect the lit arc and adjusts the shade of the lens automatically. The ease of use of this type of helmet also means that the welder needn’t worry any messy work or keep having to constantly snap his helmet into position as he works.

Using the correct hardware will also help to ensure a top quality job. If you’d like to know more about our welding helmets or need some professional advice then just give Metro Steel a call on 07 3204 1000.